building a big tank and have a small question

[sirfishmaster]

i have been researching for about 6 months and now am feeling comfortable with going ahead with my project, i have all supplies needed
i got my directions from the garf site...here is the dimensions they say to go with

Material = Plywood w/ Glass
Tank Height = 24"
Tank Width = 48"
Tank Length = 74 "
Plywood w/ Glass Thickness = 3/4"
Approximate Gallons = 369

Cut List:
3/4" Exterior Grade Plywood
Bottom = 74 " x 48"
Front = 74 " x 23 1/4"
Back = 74 " x 23 1/4"
2 Sides = 23 1/4 " x 46 1/2"
2 Top Brace = 46 1/2 " x 6"


3/8 inch Glass Front
Glass Front = 72 x 21 1/4

i am ok with all this except my Glass for front is already 72 long X 24" high. (and would rather not cut it)...garf says needs to be 72 X 21 1/4....because i will be using 1/2 glass instead of 3/8 can i get away with raising the height to the 26" high which will account for MIN of 2" surrounding glass? i cant calculate on garf as it says
"GARF Does not recommend building a plywood tank longer than 48 inches when the height in more than 24 inches"

what do you all think?

[dskidmore]

Can you use cross-bracing in a plywood tank? I would think with proper cross-bracing, it should work. In an all-glass tank, it's the height alone that determines the glass thickness. The length determines the amount of cross-bracing required.

[sirfishmaster]

the plans on Garf do call for one cross brace, i figured i could throw at least 2 more if i needed to. I am not sure that 2 inches will be much of a difference, but would rather be safe than sorry

[greenmaji]

Carefull about the floor under that thing once you fill it with water..

Good concrete floor shouldn't be a problem, otherwise I would do some reaserch or asking for perfessonal help.

as far as size goes.. I like really wide tanks vs. tall and long.. but I dont think I could imagine going more then four foot but that length would be too much for me.

[sirfishmaster]

i like wide tanks myself, and this is going on a concrete raised floor in my basement....over 3000lbs with only water weight.......i might shrink my measurements to 3 foot wide....but i so like the 4 foot 8O

[tbonem91]

go for 6 feet

[richiestang_78]

I would cut the glass, its not too difficult and only a few tools are needed. Never built a tank but have replaced many of windowpanes at my parents when I was younger.

[greenmaji]

I dont know if 7 foot is advisable now that I think about it..
you might want to run your demetions by www.garf.org 's DIY tank calulator.

[dskidmore]

The all-glass version of that tank would require 1/2" glass?

Do you have a vehicle large enough to just take this to a local glass shop for them to cut? If you don't feel comfortable cutting it yourself, that would be the safer way to go.

[sirfishmaster]

Originally Posted by greenmaji

I dont know if 7 foot is advisable now that I think about it..
you might want to run your demetions by www.garf.org 's DIY tank calulator.

IF you read the original post..its says that i went to GARF and that is where i copied and pasted from at the original post....the tank is only 6foot not 7 foot.....so guess you are confused?

[fish_4_all]

1/2 inch instead of 3/8 should give you about 8 more inches in height that you can go. Maybe adding a 1/2 inch to the border in the front will help. Hope you have along arm, . The bottom is going to be a long ways away when full. I can not figure out why plywood would stop at 24 inches unless it is weaker than glass. Maybe a plywood that has 12 or more layers and is 7/8 or 1 inch would be a safer bet, and a good cabinet grade.
All in all, I think the tank will be fun and if it works, it would be an awesome one to establish some really cool planted areas, fish establishing territories and all in all a tank that will keep you very busy.

[Creamhorses]

How are you coming on this tank? I'm interested to hear how it turns out.